Artist: Eat Static Album: Alien Artifacts

Year: 2004
Duration: 0:0-1

A Critical Review of the Album: Alien Artifacts by Eat Static

Eat Static’s Alien Artifacts album, released in 1996, is one of the defining records in the electronic genre. The album spans over ten tracks and displays an otherworldly range of soundscapes that blend everything from dub, world music, and techno to ambient and acid house. Eat Static, a British electronic duo, has established themselves as pioneers of the genre and this album solidifies their position in the electronic music industry. This review aims to provide an unfiltered perspective into the heart of the album and give listeners an insight into its innovation.

Before we delve into the album itself, let’s take a quick look at the history of Eat Static. Eat Static was formed in Somerset, England in 1989 by Merv Pepler and Joie Hinton. Both musicians had previously been members of Ozric Tentacles, the infamous space rock band of the 1980s. They quit the band to form their own project, Eat Static, which would focus on blending a vast range of electronic music genres with a cosmic and psychedelic vibe.

Alien Artifacts quickly became an iconic release in the electronic scene upon its release. The album’s standout tracks include Interceptor ’95, Hybrid, and Dune Rider. Interceptor ’95 is a progressive track that blends acid house with breakbeat and offers up a trance-driven composition that is truly mind-altering. Hybrid features Eastern instrumentation combined with futuristic soundscapes, and a deep groove that's impossible to resist. Dune Rider, is a tune that starts off almost ambient with its chilled out space pads before building into a drum-heavy track with samples of middle eastern instruments.

The album's innovation is apparent in its use of percussions and synth work. The beats are tight, energetic, and full of interesting rhythmic elements. The synth lines are complex and intricate, always bringing something new to the table and ensuring that the listener never gets bored. The sounds in each track are so well-crafted that it’s almost impossible to believe that this was made in the mid-90s. There's a freshness to the sounds that exceeds time.

While Alien Artifacts is a hugely influential album, it is not without its minor issues. The number of tracks, while fitting for albums of that era, feels somewhat long, and there are a couple of tracks that don't hold up to the outstanding standards set by the other ear-candy tracks. Despite these small drawbacks, Eat Static's music is still a standout in the electronic game, and their approach to music always pushes boundaries which is commendable.

In summary, Alien Artifacts is a timeless digital masterpiece that has come to define the electronic music genre. From its stunning soundscapes and excellent production to its innovative use of instruments, the album is a must-listen for anyone who has a keen interest in inventive music. Eat Static’s approach to music is so unique and spacey that it's truly in its own dimension. It's not hard to see why the album has had such a lasting influence on the electronic music scene. It's a journey that gives the listener a surge of curiosity and imagination. Overall, Alien Artifacts by Eat Static is a must-listen and an achievement that left an imprint on the electronic music scene.